Jan

15

What Is Atopic Dermatitis

Filed Under Eczema Facts, Skin Diseases | Leave a Comment

Atopic comes from the word “atopy” which describes a group who have a history, either themselves or in the family, of asthma, eczema, hay fever, and dry skin. Thus, atopic dermatitis is a form of eczema that is a chronic condition which produces a symmetrical occurrence of itchy rashes. These rashes can become irritated and red with inflammation, cracking, oozing, scaling and crusting.

Fifteen to twenty million people in this country have symptoms of atopic dermatitis and these cases make up up to 20% of the cases that end up at the dermatologists office. Many people who have atopic dermatitis developed it early in life, and mostly before the age of five. Both females and males have equal chance of developing this itchy rash and are more than likely living in low humidity areas where there is less moisture in the air.

Atopic dermatitis can start off as a chronic condition even for infants. There are typically unpredictable cycles of this rash condition with it sometimes going into remission for periods of time while progressing at other times. With luck, many youngsters outgrow their atopic dermatitis
condtion.

There seems to be a relation to both genetic and environmental factors when it comes to atopic dermatitis. Findings show that those with hay fever or asthma or have incidences of it in the family are more susceptible to forming atopic dermatitis. Some researchers suggest there may be abnormalities in certain cells in bone marrow which deal with immunological response. Luckily, atopic dermatitis is not contagious.

When skin is in normal condition, the outer layer called the epidermis holds dead and dry skin cells which provide a protective barrier against outside irritants as well as keep the skin hydrated. When you have atopic dermatitis, moisture is lost through the epidermal layer causing cracking and dry skin. Protection of the skin is decreased, leaving you susceptible to all kinds of other skin conditions like fungal infections, warts, bacterial infections and even the herpes virus that causes cold sores.

Oct

14

How To Treat Poison Ivy

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Poison ivy is an itchy, annoying skin condition that occurs when your skin comes into contact with the sap found in branches and leaves. What is toxic is the toxicodendrol. If you are allergic, you break out into a rash somewhere between 12 hours to 3 days after contact. You get red blisters, which is itchy making your liable to keep scratching at the affected parts. There are different types of poison ivy throughout the world. In the family of poison ivy is also poison sumac and poison oak. Poison ivy plants are normally found around the base of trees and bushes. They can also hide in brush and weeds.

Fortunately, blisters caused are not infectious and do not spread to other parts of the body. It is only the part of your body that came into contact with the sap that will get affected. You may want to be aware that some of the things that may have lingering traces of the poison ivy sap are pet fur, gardening equipment, shoelaces, and even furniture.

To prevent yourself getting reinfected with poison ivy, consider retracing your steps so that you can determine where you came into contact with the sap. Consider cleaning everything that the poison ivy has made contact with. You may still get a rash but it will be less severe. Wash your clothes with detergent. For surfaces like gardening tools, you may have to wash them down with soap. Pets that have rolled in it will need a bath.

You will need to find ways to reduce the itch because if you scratch and break the skin, you could be opening yourself to a bacterial infection. Because the rash may be oozing, you will want to apply some lotion like a calamine lotion which serves to not only soothe the itching but also dry up the weeping rash. Soaking in a warm tub filled with oatmeal or baking soda bath can also help reduce the itch. A short course of antibiotic cream may also be recommended by your doctor in the case of a developing bacterial infection.

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